Author Guidelines
Author Guideline
Author Responsibilities
There is no submission fees but APC is effective from October 1st 2023 for all accepted manuscripts. All manuscripts are subject to peer review by at least two reviewer. All authors must contribute significantly in research procedures and also manuscript preparation. The journal of Frontiers in Health Informatics accepts only ONE CORRESPONDIG author for each article.
For your information, page size is A4. All figures and tables should have adequate titles or captions, and must be integrally placed at their proper location(s) in the text. For the benefit of the readers, the figures, tables, graphs and photos should be placed near the corresponding text
; that is, not accumulated at the end of the text or at the end of the manuscript. Further information on Figures and Tables can be found in related next Sections.
Do not include any blank pages either at the beginning or end of your manuscript, or any messages to the editor or reviewers in your submission. Do not leave any excessive white/unused spaces in your paper. Due care should be exercised to avoid the use of abbreviations and phrases which may not be familiar to all readers. All abbreviations and phrases need to be suitably defined in the text, usually, the first time they occur. Please view the table below for a summary on currently accepted article types and general manuscript style guidelines.
Article Processing Fee:
An article-processing fee (APF) applies for each article accepted for publication in Frontiers in Health Informatics
| Abstract (max. length) | Running title (min 5 words) | Maximum number of Figures and/or tables (combined) | Manuscript (max. length) | Peer review | Article Processing Fee |
Iranian | Other countries |
Original Research | 300 words | Yes | 10 | 5000 words | Yes | 8000000 IR Rial | 150 Euro |
Review | 300 words | Yes | 10 | 10000 words | Yes | 8000000 IR Rial | 150 Euro |
Letter to editor | 300 words | Yes | 0 | 1500 words | Yes | 4000000 IR Rial | 50 Euro |
| Innovation in Health Informatics | 300 words | Yes | 10 | 2000 words | Yes | 5000000 IR Rial | 100 Euro |
VAT or any tax would be added to the amounts.
Page numbers and page headings are not to be added by authors. Only those who personally write the paper are to be listed as authors. The efforts of the persons who contributed to the project described, or who otherwise provide help to the author(s) may be recognized in an Acknowledgments section at the end of the paper.
Manuscripts should include the following subtitles:
-Structured abstract (at most 250-300 words)
-Introduction
-Material and Methods
-Results
-Discussion
-Conclusion
-Acknowledgment (if applicable)
-Conflict of interest
-Authors contribution
- Financial Support
-References (in Vancouver style)
a. Journal Scope
The Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform) publishes papers presenting new technology that is relevant, interesting, enlightening and instructive for scientists, students and professionals who are especially involved in the field of MEDICAL INFORMATICS. It should be emphasized that new technology does not simply imply new product development where unusual technical achievement has been attained. The key factor is the emphasis placed on the technology rather than the product.
The scope of the journal encompasses (but is not restricted to):
- Information systems, including registry systems, hospital information systems, departmental and/or physician's office systems, document handling systems, electronic medical record systems, standardization, systems integration, etc.;
- Image Processing, including new algorithm development to detect lesions or diagnose diseases, implement or modify methods or algorithms, etc.;
- Computer-aided medical decision support systems using heuristic, algorithmic and/or statistical methods as exemplified in decision theory, protocol development, artificial intelligence, etc.;
- Health Information Management and Health Information Technology;
- Educational computer based programs;
- Library and information sciences;
- Health technology assessment;
- Other related fields;
From time to time the Editor may decide that a particular issue should be devoted to a single theme or topic and guest editors will be asked to review a range of papers relating to that theme or topic.
All evidence of commercialism is to be meticulously avoided in the title, text, tables and figures of the paper. This includes company names, trademarks and commercial part numbers. It is appropriate to put the company affiliation of the authors(s), along with email addresses within the footnote on the first page, as indicated by this template. All commercial part numbers, whether the subject of the paper or not, are to be avoided in the title, text, tables and illustrations. No commercial names or part numbers are now allowed in the footnote.
The Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform) must convey a professional approach to its readers and attempts at injecting commercialism in papers presented for publication have been, and will continue to be, adequate cause for rejection.
b. MATH
When using Word, use the Microsoft Equation Editor for equations in your paper (Insert | Object | Create New | Microsoft Equation). “Float over text” should not be selected.
c. Units
Use SI (MKS) as primary units. Imperial units may be used as secondary units (in parentheses). For example, write “15 Gbit/cm2 (100 Gbit/in2).” An exception is when English units are used as identifiers in trade, such as “3½ in disk drive.” Avoid combining SI and CGS units. This often leads to confusion because equations do not balance dimensionally. If you must use mixed units, clearly state the units for each quantity in an equation.
d. Helpful Hints
-Language
Please note that our official publication language is English. When you use English Language to maintain quality consistent with our formal archival publication, it is required that all submissions conform to the style and formal grammar rules of the English language. For this reason, it is encouraged that all authors whose native language is other than English to enlist the services of a native language speaking colleague or associate to review and edit your submission. Improper use of the English language will continue to be a sufficient reason for rejection.
-Figures and Tables
It is preferable to keep figures and tables in line with text. Make the caption bold. Resize the illustration as necessary. Insert a paragraph mark (hit “enter”) immediately after the illustration. Start the caption on the next line (no blank line between illustration and caption). The above procedure will prevent the illustration and caption from becoming disassociated across page boundaries while also preventing them from jumping to another part of the document when different printer drivers or versions of Word are used. Do not use unusual fonts in the text of any figure or table; they will not reproduce correctly.
Fig 1: Rate-Distortion curves comparing Reference and Proposed algorithms. Note that “Fig” is abbreviated. There is a : after the figure number, followed by one spaces. It is good practice to explain the significance of the figure.
Place figure captions below the figures, as indicated in Fig 1. Place table titles above the tables, as illustrated in Table 1, and using the table format as per Table 1.
If your figure has two parts, for example, include the labels “(a)” and “(b)” as part of the artwork. Please verify that figures and tables that you mention in the text actually exist. Use the abbreviation “Fig” even at the beginning of a sentence. Do not abbreviate “Table.” Tables are numbered. See Fig 1 for an example of an illustration.
TABLE 1: Units and Corresponding Symbols
Unit | Unit Symbol |
megabytes per second | MB/s |
Kilohertz | kHz |
Nanosecond | ns |
Figure axis labels are often a source of confusion. Use words rather than symbols. As an example, write the quantity “Rate,” or “Rate, R,” not just “R.” Put units in parentheses. Do not label axes only with units. As in Fig. 1, for example, write “Rate (kb/s)” or “PSNR (dB).” Do not label axes with a ratio of quantities and units. For example, write “PSNR (dB),” not “PSNR/dB.”
Multipliers can be especially confusing. Write “Rate (kb/s)” or “Rate (103 b/s),” not “Rate (b/s) ´ 1000.” Figure labels should be legible, approximately 8 to 12 point type.
e. References
Number citations/references consecutively in square brackets [1]. The sentence punctuation follows the brackets [2]. Where more than one reference is cited, separate by a comma—for example, [1, 4, 39]. For sequences of consecutive numbers, give the first and last number of the sequence separated by a hyphen—for example, [1-5].
- Reference list
References must be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are mentioned in the text in the [slightly modified] Vancouver style (see example below). Only papers published or in press should be included in the reference list. References must follow the [slightly modified] Vancouver style. Use one space only between words up to the year and then no spaces. The journal title should be in abbreviated according to the style of Medline. If the journal is not listed in Medline then it should be written out in full. List the names and initials of all authors if there are 6 or fewer; otherwise list the first 6 and add et al. Authors highly invited to use EndNote software.
Example references: (write 6 authors, more than 6 authors, please write et al.)
Journal article
13 Koziol-Mclain J, Brand D, Morgan D. Measuring injury risk factors: Question reliability in a statewide sample. Inj Prev 2000; 6: 148–50.
Chapter in book
14 Nagin D. General deterrence: A review of the empirical evidence. In: Blumstein A, Cohen J, Nagin D [eds]. Deterrence and incapacitation: Estimating the effects of criminal sanctions on crime rates. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. 1978.
Book
15 Howland J. Preventing automobile injury: New Findings From Evaluative Research. Dover, MA: Auburn House Publishing Company. 1988.
Abstract/supplement
16 Roxburgh J, Cooke RA, Deverall P. Haemodynamic function of the carbomedics bileaflet prosthesis [abstract]. Br Heart J. 1995; 73(Suppl 2): 37.
Electronic citations
Websites are referenced with their URL and access date, and as much other information as is available. Access date is important as websites can be updated and URLs change. The "date accessed" can be later than the acceptance date of the paper, and it can be just the month accessed.
Electronic journal articles
Morse SS. Factors in the emergency of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis 1995; 1(1). Available from: www.cdc.gov/nciod/EID/vol1no1/morse.htm (accessed 5 Jun 1998).
Electronic letters
Bloggs J. Title of letter. Journal name Online [eLetter] Date of publication. url
eg: Krishnamoorthy KM, Dash PK. Novel approach to transseptal puncture. Heart Online [eLetter] 18 September 2001. http://heart.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/86/5/e11#EL1
PLEASE NOTE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF REFERENCES RESTS ENTIRELY WITH THE AUTHORS.
- Abbreviations and Acronyms
Define abbreviations and acronyms the first time they are used in the text, even after they have already been defined in the abstract. Abbreviations that incorporate periods should not have spaces: write “C.N.R.S.,” not “C. N. R. S.” Do not use abbreviations in the title unless they are unavoidable.
e. Equations
Number equations consecutively with equation numbers in parentheses flush with the right margin, as in (1). First use the equation editor to create the equation. Then select the “Equation” markup style. Press the tab key and write the equation number in parentheses. Use parentheses to avoid ambiguities in denominators. Punctuate equations when they are part of a sentence, as in
(1)
Be sure that the symbols in your equation have been defined before the equation appears or immediately following. Italicize symbols. Refer to “(1),” not “Eq. (1)” or “equation (1),” except at the beginning of a sentence: “Equation (1) is ... .”
f. Other Recommendations
Use one space after periods and colons. Hyphenate complex modifiers: “zero-field-cooled magnetization.” Avoid dangling participles, such as, “Using (1), the potential was calculated.” [It is not clear who or what used (1).] Write instead, “The potential was calculated by using (1),” or “Using (1), the potential was calculated ...”
Use a zero before decimal points: “0.25,” not “.25.” Use “cm3,” not “cc.” Indicate sample dimensions as “0.1 cm ´ 0.2 cm,” not “0.1 ´ 0.2 cm2.” The abbreviation for “seconds” is “s,” not “sec.” Do not mix complete spellings and abbreviations of units: use “Mb/s” or “megabits per second,” not “megabits/s.” When expressing a range of values, write “7 to 9” or “7-9,” not “7~9.”
A parenthetical statement at the end of a sentence is punctuated outside of the closing parenthesis (like this). (A parenthetical sentence is punctuated within the parentheses.) In American English, periods and commas are within quotation marks, like “this period.” Other punctuation is “outside”! Avoid contractions; for example, write “do not” instead of “don’t.” The serial comma is preferred: “A, B, and C” instead of “A, B and C.”
Remember to check spelling. If your native language is not English, please get a native English-speaking colleague to proofread your paper. Many papers are rejected for poor use of the English language or simple spelling errors.
Submission Procedure
The only acceptable electronic format is Word 2010 or later (.doc or .docx). Manuscripts must be submitted electronically to the journal web site: http://ijmi.ir/index.php/IJMI/login. Before submitting your manuscript, please register in the journal website as an author. The web site will require you to enter information about the paper as well as contact information. Upon successful submission of the paper, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the authors. Please submit main document (without names) as main file and title page (including title, running title, authors' name and affliation in line with ORCID ID, and corresponding author phone and address), copy right notice and cover letter as a supplementary files. If there are questions in any part of submission, the prospective author may wish to contact:
Executive Manager
Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform)
info@ijmi.ir
Submission Timing
There is no deadline for publication since continues issue publish per year and papers would be published upon their acceptance.
Review Process
All papers, including resubmitted papers, submitted to the Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform) are subject to a thorough double blind review process. The Editors is responsible for coordinating the review among members of the Editorial Board and Editor-in-Chief is responsible for making final decisions on each paper. Authors will be notified by email at the conclusion of this Review Process. Routine inquiries as to the status of the submitted paper within the Review process or questions about when the issue will be completed and available will not be accommodated. Reviewers selected from experts who have no conflict of interest with the manuscript authors and all information regarding manuscripts would be kept confidentially by reviewers and editors.
If the paper is accepted, there is last opportunity to make any changes from what was originally submitted. What was approved by corresponding author is what will be published on Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform).
Copyright and cover letter
Please see copyright notice on our website. Then Print and Sign it, after that scan it (PDF preferred)
And finally, upload it as supplementary file in the submission page. Do the same for cover letter.
Sample text of cover letter is attached at the end of this document.
Open-Access Policy
Where papers are accepted, an acceptance letter including invoice of APC payment will be sent to corresponding author. All papers will be published as open access
The following will be included in the discount:
1- Members of the Iranian Medical Informatics Association who have published at least one article in the journal in 2022 and 2023 (100% discount) and for other members (50% discount)
2- Iranian medical informatics PhD students for the first paper (50% discount)
3- Iranian medical informatics master's students for the first paper (70% discount)
4- The discount request of non-Iranian authors can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and based on the request of the responsible author.
All papers will be published as open access under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
Article Processing Charge (effective from October 1st, 2023)All articles published in our journals are open access and freely available online, immediately upon publication. This is made possible by an article-processing charge (APC) that covers the range of publishing services we provide. This includes provision of online tools for editors and authors, article production and hosting, liaison with abstracting and indexing services, and customer services. The APC, payable when your manuscript is editorially accepted and before publication, is charged to either you, or your funder, institution or employer.
1) Who is responsible for making or arranging the payment?
As the corresponding author of the manuscript, you are responsible for making or arranging the payment (for instance, via your institution) upon editorial acceptance of the manuscript.
2) At which stage is the amount I will need to pay fixed?
The APC payable for an article will be determined from the date on which the article is accepted for publication.
3) When and how do I pay?
Upon editorial acceptance of an article, the corresponding author (you) will be notified that payment is due. You need to arrange payment unless a waiver has been granted, or your institution or employer is covering the cost.
We advise prompt payment as we are unable to publish accepted articles until payment has been received.
Payment can be made by any of the following methods:
- Credit card - payment can be made online using a secure payment form as soon as the manuscript has been editorially accepted.
- Invoice - payment is due within 15 days of the manuscript receiving editorial acceptance. Receipts are available on request.
No taxes are included in this charge. Then, if you are resident in any European Union country you have to add Value-Added Tax (VAT) at the rate applicable in the respective country. If you are resident in Japan you have to add Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) at the rate set by the Japanese government.
4) Can charges be waived if I lack funds?
Frontiers in Health Informatics will consider requests from authors in financial need on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please see our open access policies for journals.
5) What is your APC refund policy?
Frontiers in Health Informatics will refund an article processing charge (APC) if an error on our part has resulted in a failure to publish an article under the open access terms. This may include the failure to make an article openly available on the journal platform, or publication of an article under a different Creative Commons licence from that selected by the author(s). A refund will only be offered if these errors have not been corrected within 30 days of publication.
APCs will not be refunded when articles are retracted as a result of author error or misconduct.
Cover letter sample:
Date:
Editorial Department of Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform)
Dear Editor in Chief, Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform):
I am submitting a manuscript for consideration of possible publication in Frontiers in Health Informatics (Front Health Inform). The manuscript is entitled “………….”.
It should be declared that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and that it has not been submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere. Please write your contribution.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
Title:
Affiliation:
Address
Tel.:
E-mail:
PDF version of guideline is available, you may download from here.
